The magazine Top of the Pops was first launched in 1995 alongside the TV show of the same name. It was originally focused on music content but over time shifted towards celebrity gossip and fashion aimed at its target audience of 11-15 year old girls. While the TV show was cancelled, the monthly magazine continues to be published by Immediate Media Co and focuses on topics of interest to its young female readers such as artists, fashion, and gossip.

1. CASE STUDY

3. BACKGROUND DETAILS
• The magazine was first launched in
February 1995
• It was published along side the TV show
“Top of the Pops”
• It was originally the missing link between
Smash hits and NME
• The format changed gradually , less music
content with more shrift to demographic
towards the popular audience; young girls.

4. Top of the Pops was published originally centred around music content, after the TV show.

5. As today’s Top of the pops
magazine the colours are
chosen to highlight the
artist’s clothing and used
as a colour scheme
through the whole front
cover.
The main image is a
typically pop artist with most
attention focused upon the
artist. The image represents
classic iconography of a
female pop artist.
There are more signs of
music content shown.
However its more information
on the artist.

6. BACKGROUND DETAILS
• The name of the magazine brought the genre of
Pop around and made it well known.
• The magazine has achieved variable success over
the years with sales rising and falling. It managed
to succeed more than the TV show.
• The magazine has accommodated to a specific
target audience which meant the magazine
changed how much the content of music was
published. As well as adapting to the new artist
and songs.

7. TOP OF THE POPS TODAY!
• Issued monthly
• Costs £2.99 per issue
• Follows a standard magazine layout. The main
content of the magazine includes celebrity
gossip, cringes, fashion and beauty
advice, articles on pop and movie
stars, quizzes, horoscope, posters and song
lyrics.
• Top of the Pops! Has its own website, it did
have a TV show but it was cancelled.

8. TOP OF THE POPS INSIDE
The colours used against the background stand out a lot more to
ensure it to be noticeable as well as making it appealing. The image of
the artists portrays that the article is mostly about them. The small
bite size article photos are link towards the paragraph written. The
most eye catching and unheard quotes are put in more bold font
drawing attention to them and the article itself.

9. TARGET AUDIENCE
• 11-15years old.
• 100% female audience.
• Active music purchaser and gossip.
• Interested in fashion, gossip, boys, romantic films and
shopping.
• Loyal to their friends and family and favorite artists, an
individual who loves to be the first with new
accessories and is youthful and fun.
• See Top of the Pops as everything in one whole
magazine with exciting new trends and music available
for them with their interests.

11. CONTENT
• Content is entirely devoted to music with gossip
news and articles, album reviews, concert
information. Quizzes, competitions and posters.
• Artists commonly featured are those that the
magazine has found new exclusive information
and fashion tips.
• The magazine offers large posters of artists and
bands reflecting the interests of the readership.

13. STYLE
• Top of the Pops uses bright and attractive colour schemes
which are consistent throughout the magazine each month
with a new colour.
• Featuring a lot of iconography associated with pop and scenes
surrounding it for example light make up, quirky
clothes, cheerful colours.
• The magazine has a lot of visual images from the artists.
• Top of the Pops has feminine and girly font used throughout
with different styles with uppercase text font
• Different shades of pink feature the most strongly upon the
magazine however each month this can vary. However it is
only bright and noticeable colours for the direct attention of
the audience.

14. The main colour
used with the
magazine is
bright pink.
A lot of small
article photos
around the
magazine.
Feminine and girly
font used throughout
with different styles

15. MODE OF ADDRESS
• Informal language to interact with the
audience.
• Expressions and tones which the target
audience can relate to.
• Phrases to create a relationship between the
audience and the magazine.
• The language suggests that they understand
music is important but a joke can brighten
their day which is what the magazine aims to
do.

16. The informal
language used is
friendly and shows
interest of the
audience.
Phrases which the
audience can relate to
and understand.
The phrases can
show interaction in a
friendly term with
the audience as it
can comfort them.
Artists that can crack a smile
and interest for the
audience with the speech
marks.

17. MODE OF ADDRESS
• Examples of Mode of Address:
• “OMG”
• “PHWOAR”
• “HSM POSTERS”
• “HOT BOYS!”
• “PLUS!”
• “KISS & TELL”

18. OWNERSHIP
• Immediate Media Co is a new force in consumer media and
publishing, combining businesses formerly known as BBC
Magazines, Origin Publishing and Magicalia. The company
combines a strong publishing heritage with digital platforms and
entrepreneurial flair.
• With 750 staff in London and Bristol, Immediate Media Co
publishes 34 websites and 50 magazines, with over 1 million
subscribers, a brand reach of 11 million UK consumers.
• They publish some of the UK’s best-known magazines including
Radio Times, Gardeners’ World, Good Food, Top Gear, CBeebies,
olive, BBC History and Homes & Antiques, alongside highly
successful specialist titles including Focus, Perfect Wedding and
Junior, as well as leading digital brands such as
MadeForMums.com, loveyourhair.com and Visordown.com.

20. OWNERSHIP
• The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public
service broadcasting corporation.
• Founded John Reith and George Villiers.
• For Top of the pops to have two big corporations funded for
the magazine gives an advantage to them. With experience
and experts within the industry this can help the magazine
boost sales.
• With BBC presenting Top of the pops TV show. They really
know what young girls are interested in as they have channels
that are exclusively for children.
• Both companies have many success within the industry such
as launching TV series and music radio for BBC , and many
well known like Cbeebies magazines for Immediate Media Co.